Can Robbie Fowler add spice to Final fling?

Cardiff head for Wembley with two of the greatest goalscorers from the modern era in their midst. With a combined age of 69 and more than 400 goals between them in English football, take a bow Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink — but mind you don't put your backs out.

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At 33, Fowler retains the mischievous sense of fun which has often lured him into trouble in the past. Hasselbaink, three years his senior, remains a popular grump with an easy smile. His furious stare is reserved for those who dare take a free-kick off him on the edge of the penalty area.

They both enjoy a night out and when Cardiff's players flew to Ireland for their Christmas bash, the Holland international wore traditional Scottish dress. 'Well, I am called Jimmy,' he grinned, insisting he did it all properly, with nothing under the kilt and 'a knife in my sock'.

Fowler feared his antics might be blamed for the hip injury which has ruled him out of action since December. 'I was one of them '70s roller boys, on roller boots with really tight shorts,' he admitted, but hastily added: 'The roller boots came off after a minute so, honestly, it wasn't because of them that I was injured.'

On the subjects of costumes and the FA Cup Final, it's impossible to speak to Fowler without mentioning the cream suits of 1996 when Liverpool were beaten by Manchester United. They became emblematic of a team branded the 'Spice Boys'.

'I've still got the suit, I could wear it to the fancy dress next year,' joked Fowler. 'People remind me about it all the time. It has become infamous. If we'd won the game, nobody would have mentioned it. But we lost. I think the staff saw it coming; they all wore black.

'It was all David James' fault. He was an Armani model at the time and knew somebody who could get the suits.'

James and Fowler could be adversaries at Wembley. The Portsmouth goalkeeper has overcome a calf strain but Fowler, after five months out, must persuade manager Dave Jones he is worth a place on the bench.

'I've done everything that has been asked of me without any problems,' said Fowler. 'I've trained for 12 days and I'm feeling OK. If the manager asks me, I'll tell him I'm ready.'

Fowler and Hasselbaink joined Cardiff on free transfers last summer, signing one-year deals worth £15,000 a week with the option of a one-year extension.

'I've not set the world alight, I wanted to play more and score more goals,' said Fowler, who struck six in 16 before his injury curse struck again. Hasselbaink has scored nine.

'I thought my days of playing in major finals were gone,' admitted Fowler, who wants another season at Cardiff.

'Nobody gave us any hope from the start and we're in the Final on merit. We haven't been lucky; we've played well in every round.